A PSNI officer shot by suspected dissident republican in a petrol station gun attack was struck three times in a hail of bullets, Chief Constable George Hamilton said today.

Speaking after visiting the wounded man in hospital, the police boss said the gunman fired around nine or 10 shots and “riddled with gunfire” a garage forecourt in North Belfast as members of the public went about their business.

Mr Hamilton said it is believed a rifle was used in the attack and that the terrorist was possibly behind a nearby fence when they opened fire . The officer’s right arm was hit leading to him having to undergo three hours of surgery this morning. He also faces further surgery, the Chief said.

The top officer condemned the “complete recklessness” of the attack at the petrol station on the Crumlin Road close to Tennent Street. He said the officer wounded is in “good spirits”, but warned the police could easily have been conducting a murder investigation today. He said those behind the shooting did “not care who they murdered”.

Mr Hamilton added that it is “unlikely” that the shots were fired from an Audi car detectives are trying to trace and that the would-be killer was “lying in wait” at a nearby fence. He said it is possible a bullet struck the officers ballistic vest, but that this is not confirmed.

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Mr Hamilton added: “I would condemn this despicable attack, this act of complete recklessness as the filling station out on the Crumlin Road was riddled with high-velocity gunfire last night at 7.30 when people were going about their normal business, going to fill their cars up with fuel and buy groceries for children’s lunches.

“Our police officers are citizens in uniform. This officer was a member of the community.

“He was attacked but other members of the community were at massive risk as well and the people who did this did not care who they murdered last night, albeit it was clear the attack was aimed at the police officers on duty.”